Charlton Down Cricket Club
Cossens stars as torrential rain saves Martinstown
Charlton Down versus Martinstown Sunday 20th April
As the 9 brave Charlton Down players headed south for the 2nd friendly of the season spirits were high and the weather looked overcast but good. On arrival at the ground a minor miracle occurred. Captain Simon headed towards the middle and did the unthinkable, he won the toss. Job done he decided to bat and James Pretty and Andy Cossens strode to the crease. With James holding up one end with some excellent defensive work Andy started to put the Martinstown openers to the sword with 4 early boundaries to reach 28 off the first 5 overs. The next 18 runs came a singles as the opening duo solidified their position and made steady progress. Pretty eventually fell for a steady 10. Mike Lingham swashbuckled a quick fire 14 and Nigel Kibby on debut took part in a partnership of 21 before falling. The Skipper strode to the middle looking confident , fresh from his new found toss winning success. While all this was going on Andy Cossens was compiling an excellent innings finally falling on 88 including 12 4’s and a 6. His downfall, a leading edge whilst trying to push the score. Phil Holdcroft was unlucky to be given LBW. Simon had started peppering the boundary before falling for 23, coincidentally the same score as the previous week. Chris Rickard was now at the crease with Dave Saxby. Rickard however realised that he appeared to have in his hand a Childs bat. When he did connect with the middle a strange plinky sound was heard rather than the usual thwack. Wishing he had purchased a real grown up bat Chris held on though to the end of the innings watching Dave Saxby fall and the club chairman make 1 not out having faced just the solitary final ball. A total of 164 was set by the away team, a total that gave the Charlton Down bowlers something to protect.
Too much tea and the acquisition of 2 of the Martinstown players to help out in the field later and the run chase commenced. A superb spell by the 2 opening bowlers kept the home team at 20 for 2 in the first 10 overs . Pretty retuned 5 overs 3 maidens, 3 for 2. Rickard was incredibly unlucky not to take a wicket with 3 dropped catches in his 5 over spell. First change and enter the silver fox, Dave Saxby taking 2 wickets in his 8 overs. Cossens kept it tight at the other end and Rickard decided that during his second spell he wasn’t risking any more dropped catches and clean bowled 2 of the Martinstown batsman. With 6 down the sky darkened, rumblings were heard, forks of lightning started flashing all around. The heavens opened and all of the gladiators headed for cover. The game was called off with the home team stranded on 105 –6 but the fielding team feeling very much in the ascendancy.
So with the new captain feeling very happy at a great effort by the Charlton Down team and the precipitation at a high level the players adjourned to the Pub.
Special moment of the match, Simon Dunford being told off for talking too loudly by Andy as he couldn’t concentrate on his batting. He would never make it with a real crowd.